Labour faced fresh charges of cronyism on Friday after it was announced that Alan Milburn has appointed the husband of chief whip, Hilary Armstrong, as a special adviser at the Department of Health.

Professor Paul Corrigan, who is married to Armstrong, has been appointed to assist with the delivery of Labour's health service reforms.

His appointment has been attacked by opposition parties who have accused Labour of cronyism and attacked Corrigan's credentials. Dr Evan Harris, the Lib Dem health spokesman, said the appointment was further evidence that Labour was to determined push through controversial proposals to privatise elements of the NHS.

"Professor Corrigan does not represent expertise in the area of weighing up the merits of privatisation in whatever format. He is a how' rather than a `whether' to privatise man," said Harris.

The Department of Health had dismissed the claims, saying Corrigan had been appointed "on merit" as a result of "his knowledge and experience".